Tractor with leveling device



May 1, 1951 c. BURTON 2,551,314

TRACTOR WITH LEVELING DEVICE Filed Sept. 27, 1946 v 8 Sheets-Sheet l Q2 num :m m "11w W 29 v I NV ENTOR LAWRENCE C.E UI2TON ATTORNEYS y 1951 L. c. BURTON 2,551,314

TRACTOR WITH LEVELING DEVICE Filed Septm 27, 1946 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VENTOR LAWRENCE C.E UIZTON ATTORNEYS May 1, 1951 c. BURTON TRACTOR WITH LEVELING DEVICE 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Sept. 27, 1946 May 1, 1951 c. BURTON 2,551,314

TRACTOR WITH LEVELING DEVICE Filed Sept. 27, 1946 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 May 1, 1951 c. BURTON 2,551,314

TRACTOR WITH LEVELING DEVICE Filed Sept. 27, 1946 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR LAWIZENCE C.BUI2TON ATTORNEYS May 1, 1951 TRACTOR Filed Sept. 27, 1946 WITH LEVELING DEVICE 8 sheets s eet 6 @135 1 N v E NTOR LAWRENCE c. EJUQTON ATTORNEYS May 1, 1951 c. BURTON TRACTOR WITH LEVELING DEVICE 8 Sheets-Sheet '7 Filed Sept. 27, 1946 Q. I I III w 1 m I N v E N TOR LAWQENCE C. BURTON gy k ATTORNEYS y 1, 1951 L. c. BURTON 2,551,314

TRACTOR WITH LEVELING DEVICE Filed Sept. 27, 1946 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 LAWIZENCE G. BUIZTON ATTOQNEYS Patented May 1, 1951 UNITED STATES EATENT QFFICE This invention relates to tractors, and more especially it relates to tractors employed in 01fthe-road operations where the terrain may be rough, uneven, or hilly.

When tractors of conventional construction, of three-wheel or four-wheel type, are employed on uneven ground such that the vehicle is tilted laterally, the weight of the tractor is thrown mostly onto the lowermost wheel or wheels, with the result that there is less traction on the uppermost wheel or wheels, and greater strain is imposed upon the motor to drive the vehicle. Such a situation may occur in contour plowing, or plowing with one of the driving wheels of the tractor in a previously turned furrow, or it may occur in ditching operations where the tractor is employed to propel a scraper or bull-dczer. Furthermore, lateral tilting to an excessive extent may, if the tractor has a relatively high center of gravity, result in unstable equilibrium and upsetting of the vehicle with serious consequences to operator and equipment. Moreover lateral tilting of a tractor not only makes for discomfort to the operator, but also adds to the difficulty of operation. It is to the relief of the undesirable conditions set forth that this invention primarily is directed.

The chief objects of the invention are to provide an improved tractor that, within substantial limits, may operate upon uneven terrain without lateral tilting; to provide a tractor having a greater factor of safety than conventional tractors; to provide a tractor that will not be laborious for the operator to operate; and to provide a tractor that automatically is self-leveling when laterally tilted. More specifically the invention aims to provide a tractor with driving wheels that have a substantial range of movement in their respective planes; to provide a tractor of which the driving wheel on one side thereof moves in its own plane in one direction while the driving wheel on the other side thereof moves in its own plane in the opposite direction; to provide means for driving the said wheels in all positions throughout their entire range of relative movement; and to provide means for bra-king said wheels throughout their entire range of relative movement. Other objects will be manifest as the description proceeds.

Of the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a complete tractor embodying the invention as it appears on level ground;

Fig. 2 vis a front elevation thereof, the action of the wheels on sloping ground being indicated in broken lines;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the power plant and associated parts of the tractor;

Fig/4 is a fragmentary plan view of the wheelbraking mechanism shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a, section on the line 55 of Fig. 4; Fig. 6 is a section on the line 'B6 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 7 is a section taken substantially on the line 'l-l of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a section on the line 88 of Fig. 6,

Fig. 13 is a section on the line I3, l3 of Fig. 12;

I Figs. l4, l5 and 16 are somewhat diagrammatic views showing a modified means for moving the driving wheels of a tractor relatively of each other; i Fig. 1'7 is a sideelevation of another embodi-- ment of the invention as it appears on level ter' rain;'and

Fig. 18 is a front elevation of the tractor show in Fig. 17 as it appears on the transversely sloped terrain. Referring to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, there is shown an improved tractor that comprises a frame or chassis 2G, power-driven wheels 2!, 2| at the rear end thereof, a single dirigible wheel 22 on the front end thereof, an internal combustion engine or motor 23 at the front thereof, and a casing or housing 24 connected to the rear end of the motor and containing the conventional transmission gears, means for ele vating one of the rear wheels while depressing the other, and a valve means automatically con-. trolling the elevating and depressing of the rear wheels in response to transverse tilting of the tractor due to uneven terrain. The tractor has a seat 25 for an operator at the rear end thereof, and there is a. steering wheel 26 and gear-shift lever 2! in suitable proximity to said seat. In Fig. 1 there is shown a hood 28 over the motor 23 and housing 24, and a canopy 29 over the d tional construction except that it has an additional oil pump 32 mounted upon the side thereof and driven by the same shaft that drives the ignition mechanism 33 of the motor, said pump having an inlet pipe 34 leading thereinto and an outlet pressure pipe 35 extending therefrom. There is a conventional clutch (not shown) between the crank shaft of the motor and the propeller shaft of the vehicle, said clutch being located in the hollow, drum-like formation 36 that is a part of the housing 24, on the end of the latter that abuts the crank case of motor 23.

The propeller shaft of the vehicle is designated 40 and is shown in Figs. 6 and 7 of the drawings. It extends horizontally through the housing 24, and at the rear of the latter is located within a transmission casing 4| mounted upon the rear end of housing 24. Within the latter the shaft 40 is enclosed in a protective sleeve 42. The rear end of shaft 45 projects from the rear wall of the transmission casing 4| and is splined to enable a pulley or other power-transmitting device to be mounted thereon, thus providing a power take-01f. The projecting rear end of the shaft is protected by a removable sleeve 43, anda cap 44 that encloses the same.

Also journaled in the transmission casing 4| is a countershaft 45 that is positioned parallel to shaft 40 in spaced relation thereto, the front end of countershaft 45 extending into housing 24 and provided with a pinion 4B thereon. Driving connection between shaft 40 and countershaft 45 is effected selectively by the usual shiftable gear mechanism of which gears 41, 48, and 49 are splined upon countershaft 45 and restrained against movement longitudinally thereof, said gears being laterally spaced apart from each other. Splined upon shaft 40 and movable longitudinally thereof is a unitary structure comprising two gears 50, of different sizes, which gears are disposed between gears 48, 45 aforementioned. Said structure may be shifted axially in one direction to mesh gear 55 with gear 48, or in the opposite direction to mesh gear 5| with gear 49. Also slidably splined on shaft 40 is a gear 52 that may be meshed with gear 47 on the countershaft. The relative sizes of the aforementioned gears is such as to enable the counter-- shaft 45 to be driven at thre different speeds, all in the same direction. For driving the countershaft in reverse direction, a second countershaft (not shown) is journaled in the wall of the casing 4| and a boss 53 formed thereon, said second countershaft being parallel to and laterally offset from countershaft 45. Said second countershaft has journaled thereon a unitary gear structure comprising a gear 54 that is meshed with gear 41, and a gear 55 spaced rearwardly therefrom and so positioned as to mesh with gear 52 when the latter is shifted rearwardly. For shifting gears 50, 5| as a unit and. for shifting gear 52, the usual shifting forks to be operated by lever 21, Fig. 1 are provided, but since these elements are well known in the art and constitute no part of the present invention, it is believed their omission herefrom is permissible.

The pinion 46 on countershaft 45 is meshed with a ring gear 58, Fig. '7 secured to a conventional differential gear unit 59. The differential unit 59, of which ring gear 58 is a part, is journaled at opposite sides thereof in bearings 89, 63, (Fig. 6) which bearings are mounted interiorly of respective tubular axles 6|, 6|, at the inner ends of the latter. The axles 6| have their inner,

confronting end portions formed with respective flanges 6 Ia, and said flanges are fixedly attached, by cap screws 62, to opposite sides of a substantially annular partition 24a formed within the housing 24 and accessible through lateral openings of larger size in opposite sidewalls of the housing. Journaled upon each axle 6| is a tubular sleeve 63, which sleeve is retained on the axle by an annular cap-plate 64 that is secured to the outer end of said axle. At their inner ends each sleeve 63 is provided with means for oscillating the sleeves in reverse direction to each other, as presently will be described.

Mounted upon each sleeve 63 and keyed thereto at 66 is the hub portion 61 of a wheel-arm 68, said wheel-arms being hollow, and the hub portions 6'! thereof extending perpendicular to the planes of the arms, at one end thereof. Interiorly of each arm 68, concentrically of the axis of its hub 61, is mounted an annular bearing plate 69, and mounted therein, at the axis thereof, is a bearing 10 in which is journaled the outer end portion of a jackshaft 1|, the other end of the latter being operatively associated with the differential unit 59 in the usual manner so as to be driven thereby. jackshaft H that is received in bearing '10 is of reduced diameter, and keyed on said reduced portion, on the inner side of said bearing at 12 is a brake drum 13. Keyed onto the reduced portion of jackshaft H, on the outer side of said bearing 70 is a sprocket l4, and trained about the latter is a sprocket chain 15 that also is trained about a sprocket 16 mounted upon a wheel spindle ll that is journaled in the outer end of the wheel arm 68, remote from the hub-end of said wheel arm. The spindles 71 project from the outwardly presented sides of the respective wheel arms and carry the respective wheels 2|. Each wheel arm 68 has a cap structure 18 on the outer or free end thereof giving access to the sprocket l6, and has an opening 19 concentric with the axis of hub Bl giving access to sprocket l4 and bearing plate 69, said opening 19 being provided with a closure plate 80. A nut 8| threaded onto the outer end 'of jackshaft H retains the sprocket 74 on the reduced end portion thereof. The arrangement is such that the propeller shaft 40 drives both wheels 2| through the agency of the differential unit .59. As shown in Fig. l, the wheel arms 68 extend substantially horizontally of their hub portions, toward the rear of the tractor, when the latter is on level ground.

Each brake drum I3 is encircled by a brake band 84 having the usual facing or lining of friction material 85. As is best shown in Fig. 5, one end of brake band 84 is adjustably connected to a block 86 that is carried upon a pin 87, the latter being journaled for limited angular movement in the opposite walls of a box-like structure 88 formed locally upon the arm-hub 67. The other end of brake band 84 is connected to a short brake-lever 89 that is located within the structure 58, said lever being fixedly mounted upon a rockshaft that is journaled in opposite walls of the structure 88 and projects from one side thereof. The said structure 88 is formed with an opening that is closed by a cap 9|, whereby access is had to the mechanism located interiorly of said structure. The arrangement is such that angular movement of the rockshaft 90, in counter-clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 5, will effect tightening of the brake band about the brake drum l3.

Exteriorly of the structure 88 the rocksha-ft 9|) The end portion of each- 5v has a lever 04 mounted thereon, which lever is connected by a link 95, Figs. 3 and 4, to a lever arm 96 that is mounted upon the upper end of a shaft 91, the latter being journaled in a pair of reinforcing web 68a, 38a formed on the rear face of the wheel arm 08. Between the webs 08a the shaft 91 carries an angular arm 38, which arm is formed with a smooth arcuate urface 99 that is concentric with the axis of the arm-hub 61, as is most clearly shown in Fig. 3. Engaging the arcuate surface 99 of arm 38 is a roller I journaled in one end of a lever of the first class IOI that is pivotally mounted upon the chassis 20, the other end of lever IOI being connected by a link I02 to a brake pedal I03 pivotally mounted on chassis 20. The arrangement is such that when the brake pedal 503 is depressed, the lever IOI is urged against arcuate surface 99 of arm 08, thus turning shaft 9'! angularly and thereby tightening brake band 84'about brake drum '13 by means of the operatively interposed links and levers described. The feature of the arcuate surface 89 on arm 98 makes it possible to operate the brake in any and all angular operative positions of the wheel arm 68. Each of the wheel arms 68 of the machine i equipped with brake mechanism such as that described, there bein two brake pedals I03 conveniently located for the operator who rides in seat 25.

The arrangement is such that the operator con- I currently may apply the brakes to the drives of both wheels 2 I, to slow down or stop the tractor, or he may apply the brake to the drive of but one wheel 2| to stop rotation thereof while the drive of the other wheel 21 continues to function, thus enabling the tractor to turn right or left or to turn completely around on a relatively short radius.

The wheel-arms 58 are turned angularly about the axis of their aligned hubs 61 by means of the sleeves S3 to which the respective hubs are keyed. To this end each sleeve 03 has its inner end formed with an outwardly extending radial flange I05, which flange is locally formed a a seat for a bevel gear segment I06 that is secured to the perimeter thereof by rivets I01 The gear segments are disposed in confronting relation, and both mesh with a bevel pinion I08 interposed therebetween. Each segment I06 extends in an arc of about 75 degrees, and the two segments are in transverse alignment, with the pinion I08 located midway between the ends thereof, when the tractor rests upon level terrain and the wheels 2I are in axial alignment transversely of the tractor. By the turning of pinion I 68, the segments I and sleeves 63 to which they are attached are caused to turn angularly or oscillate about the axis of said sleeves, in opposite directions, and thereby to elevate one wheel 2! while lowering the other. The sleeve flanges I05 and gear segments I03 are located interiorly of the housing 24, and are accessible through lateral openings in the opposite sidewalls of the housing, which openings are covered by respective annular cover-plates I09. The inner circumference of each plat-e 509 fits closely about one of the hubs 61!, and carries an oil seal II 0 to prevent the escape of lubricant from the housing at this point. Each cover plate I80 is formed with a slot III in the region thereof that is transversely opposite the pinion I03, and a semi-circular bearing cup II 2 is mounted on the outer face of the cover plate over the slot III therein. Journaled in each bearing cup I I2 is a short shaft or spindle H3 on which is mounted a disc H4,

which disc II4 extends through the slot III and has its perimeter in rolling contact with the rear face of a gear segment I06. The discs II4 function to prevent spreading of the segments I06 due to the thrust of the pinion I08.

At its smaller or inner end the pinion I08 is formed with an axial trunion that is journaled in a bearing II6 mounted in the partition 24a within the housing 24. At its opposite or larger end the pinion I08 is formed with an integral axial stem II! that is journaled in a bearing II8 located immediately above the pinion. Above bearing II8 the stem II! has a spur pinion II9 keyed thereto, the latter being covered by a cap plate I20 that is formed with a recess to receive the reduced end portion of stem III. Meshed with the spur pinion H9 is a rack I2I that is disposed transversely of the housing 24, said rack projecting through apertures I22 formed in the respective sidewalls of said housing and extending into respective single acting fluid pressure operated cylinders 123,123 (Fig. 8) mounted in axial alignment on opposite sidewalls of the housing 24, exteriorly thereof. Each cylinder I23 comprises a piston I24, which piston is connected to pinions I I0 and I08 by the charging of one cylinder I23 with concurrent discharging of the other cylinder I23. A roller I25 that is suitably journaled in the housing 24 engages the back of rack I2I at the region where the latter meshes with pinion II9, to hold said rack and pinion firmly in mesh against operational stresses.

The charging and discharging of cylinders I23 is effected automatically by means responsive to lateral tilting of the tractor. To this end the housing 24 is formed interiorly with a chamber I 28 near the top thereof (Fig. '7), which chamber is provided with a cover I29. The volume of the chamber I28 is increased by means of hollow or bushing I35, and positioned within said boreis a cylindrical plug or rotor I36. The bore I34 is closed at the rear by the rear wall of the casing I33, and at the front is closed by a cover plate I31. The plug or rotor I 35 is formed at each end with an integral axial spindle, that at the rear being designated I38 and that at the front being designated I39, the axis of said spindles being disposed in the central longitudinal plane of the tractor. Spindle I38 is relatively short and is journaled in a bearing I30 seated in a recess in the rear wall of the valve casing. Spindle I39 is relatively long and is .journaled in a bearing I4I mounted in the cover plate I31, said spindle extending through an aperture in said cover plate.

Formed in the casing I33 at the top thereof is a passage or duct I44 that extends transversely of the casing, above the rotor I 33. Extending downwardly from duct I44, in the central vertical plane of the valve, is a relatively short duct I45 that extends through the lining I35, said ducts 7 I44 I45 con tit ti in s f r t cep on o P essu id to the va e si de o t casing I33 are formed with elongate, longitudinally extending slots I46, I46, which slots extend through the casing wall and lining I35, and constitute Ou er s o he a ve the bo tom of the valve casing, on opposite sides there.- of, are respective ducts I4'I, I41, which ducts are xial y ali n a d xt nd ward ach et er nte iq l o th asin he i n r end. po ons thereof being elongated axially of the valve and lla qw d l'a l l' i y 9 693 3m. 11. @13 r o x endi al elism h u th 11m. ing I in slightly spaced relation on opposite sides of the central vertical plane oi the valve. Th P 91' r o is o me W t a 6? {49 extending diametrically therethrough, which duct is disposed in a vertical plane, as shown in Fig. 12, when the tractor is on level horizontal terrain, with its upper end in registry with duct I in the casing. The upper or inlet end of duct I49 is circular, and has a flared orifice so as to continue at least partly in registry with duct I45 when the rotor oscillates in either direction to a substantial degree. The lower or discharge end of; duct IE9 is rectangular in shape with its longer dimension disposed longitudinally of the valve When the tractor is on level horizontal terrain, the discharge end of duct I46 is disposed flush a a n t i i n r ion 9 o l n n 35.

that is located between the adjacent inner ends of ducts I41, whereby duct I49 is closed and no fluid is discharged therefrom. At opposite sides of the discharge end of duct I49 the peripheral face of rotor I36 is formed with respective, relator, as subsequently will be explained. The ad-.

jacent margins of the recesses I5I are spaced a sufilcient distance each side of the discharge end of duct I49 as not to register with the inner ends of ducts I47, as is clearly shown in Fig. 12 except when the rotor I36 is rotated from normal posi: tion.

Oscillation or angular movement of the rotqr I36 of valve IE2 is effected automatically, and to, an extent that is proportionate to lateral tilting of the tractor. To this end the lower portion oi the chamber iii; is constituted as a sump I54, Figs. '1 and 9, in which a determinate amount of fluid is maintained at all times, said sump, extending into the blisters I32 on opposite sides of the housing. Fluid is received in the sump. from the valve I32, said fluid bein dischargd from said valve through the outlet slots :45. therein. Fluid rnte"s the sump also, upon OQQZI'? sion, from a relief valve E presently to be described. Extending into the sump is an ove a; pipe I56, the open inlet end of which is arranged at a suitable elevation to maintain the properliquid level of the fluid in the sump. The pipe I55 extends downwardly from the sump, es.- teriorly of the housing 2d, and at its lowerend discharges into a reservoir of fluid i5? located in the lower part of said housing. unted at its middle upon the projecting forwa end portion of; spindle I39 of valve i32'is a balance arm Q8 that e ten 91 9 5 airwaves t rei cm nt-Q t re pecti li ter 0 the res e iv d f a d a an a m eac ha n hollow floa I59 attached thereto. The arrangement is such that the floats I59 are supported by the surface of the liquid in the blisters. Since the surface of this liquid always is horizontally disposed, it follows that lateral tilting of the tractor will tilt the valve I32, causing the same to turn relatively of the spindle I39 thereof, with the result that the rotor I33. of the valve is rotated to a degree proportionate to the tilting of the tractor. A pendulous weight I56 attached to the hub of the balance arm supplements the floats to maintain the balance arm always in horizontal position.

Each fluid pressure cylinder I23 is charged and discharged by liquid that passes through a pipe 552 to the rear end thereof, which pipe is connected to one of the ducts or ports I47 of the valve I32. Each pipe I62 has a control valve I63 mounted therein, which valve may be closed in the event that the automatic leveling mechanism is not to be employed. Connected to one end of the inlet duct 544 of valve I32 is pipe 35 from the pressure side of oil pump 32, through which pipe oil under pressure is delivered to the said valve. The relief valve I55 hereinbeforc mentioned is mounted in the other end of inlet duct I48 oi valve. I32. As shown in Fig. 10, the relief valve IE5 is a hollow casing having an internal tapered valve seat I65 against which a complementally tapered valve I66 is urged by a coiled spring IS'I. The latter is retained in the casing by a cap or plug I68 threaded into an end of said casing. The wall of the casing is slotted at 69, I69, which slots extend to the valve seat I65 and constitute. outlet ports. The relief valve 555 opens when the liquid pressure in duct I44 of valve I32 overcomes the force of spring I6'I, which may occur when control valves 163 of pipes 62 are closed, or when the tractor is on level terrain and the rotor I36 of valve I32 is in the position shown in Fig. 12. Liquid discharged from relief valve IE5 is received in the sump I54. The reservoir Iii! in the bottom of housing 24 has an outlet port I10, and connected to said port is the pipe 34, which is the inlet pipe to. pump In the operation of the invention, the motor 23 is driven in the usual manner. When the clutch is closed and the gears in transmission casing 4| selectively meshed, the tractor is driven forward or backward as desired by the rotation of wheels 2|. The motor 23. also drives the pump 32' to withdraw liquid from the reservoir I51 in housing 2 3, and to force said liquid, through pipe to the inlet duct I44 of valve I32. the tractor is moving over level terrain, that is,

terrain that is horizontal transversely of the,

tractor, the rotor I36. of valve I32 is in the position shown in Fig. 12 and the spindles II of wheels. 2! are. in axial alignment. When the tractor moves onto. uneven, transversely tilted ground, the tractor as a whole will tilt, including chamber I28. However, due to the fact that the surface of the liquid in sump I54 always is horizontal, the buoyant effect of the liquid act ing upon one of the floats I53 of valve I32 will effect rotation of valve rotor I36 relatively to the valve casing. The. result of. such rotation is to bringthe discharge end of duct I49 in rotor I36. atleast partly into registry with the inner end ofone. of the ducts I 43: in; the casing, thus enabling pressure liquid to pass therethrough into one of the pipes L62 and enter one of the cylinders I23.

When

9 Such rotation of the rotor I36 also brings one of its peripheral recesses I-iI at least partly into registry with the o'ther'duct I i? in the casing, thus enabling pressure fluid in the other cylinder I23 to discharge therefrom through its pipe I62 and to escape from the valve I32 by way of said recess I55! and an outlet slot M with which the said recess is in communication at all times.

The charging of one cylinder I23 and concurrent discharging of the other moves the rack I2! longitudinally and thus imparts rotary movement to the pinion I I9, and to bevel pinion I38 to which pinion H9 is operatively connected. Rotation of pinion I68 imparts rotary movement to the gear segments I96, in opposite directions, with the result that wheel arms 58 are correspondingly rotated, thus moving one of the wheels 25 up wardly and the other downwardly. Such movement of the wheels continues until the chassis of the tractor attains a transversely level position', at which position the rotor of valve I32 is in the central or neutral position shown in Fig. 12, and swinging movement of the wheel arms ceases. Such swinging movement of the wheel arms is limited in extent by the extent of axial movement of the pistons I2 3 in cylinders I23. In Figs. 1 and 2 the maximum extent of movement of the wheels 2i relatively to each other is indicated in dot and dash lines. It will be obvious that the action of the .valve I32 is automatic and continuous, and that it adjusts the relative positions of the wheels 2| to compensate for every slope of the terrain within the limits set forth. The wheels 2i are power driven at all times, and the brake mechanism shown and described operates upon the wheel-drive with equal facility in all positions of the wheel-arms 68.

The invention provides a tractor that is capable of improved operation upon sloping terrain, that has a greater factor of safety-than conventional tractors and which is less laborious to operate, and that achieves the other advantages set out in the foregoing statement of objects.

Referring now to Figs. 1e, 15 and ld there is shown, somewhat diagrammatically, another embodiment of means for effecting automatically the leveling of a laterally tilted vehicle. This embodiment of the invention is ,utilized for effecting mechanically the functions of the hydraulic mechanism of the previously described embodiment; more specifically, it may be employed in place of the pump 32, valve I32, cylinders I23, and the piping, sump, and reservoir of the structure previously described.

The housing i i of the modified structure is essentially similar to the housing 2 previously described and the mechanical elements therein are the same except that a worm wheel I75 is mounted upon the stem Ill of the bevel pinion in place of the spur pinion iiS previously employed. Meshed with worm wheel H5 is a worm I75 that is suitably journaled in bearings Ill carried by opposite sidewalls of the housing, the shaft 5'18 of said worm extending through one of the sidewalls of said housing and having a worm wheel I79 mounted thereon. Mes-.ed with the latter is a worm I85 formed on one end portion of a shaft lei, the other end of which shaft is connected by a universal joint I32 to a shaft I83. Shafts I85, 533 are substantially in axial alignment and substantially horizontally disposed, and extend forwardly from the housing 24- toward the motor of the tractor. The end of shaft I83 remote from coupling I82 is provided with a short cylindrical roller I84 that is positioned between a pair of spaced apart discs I85, I85, which discs are mounted for concurrent rotation in the same direction upon a shaft I86. The latter is driven, through the agency of a pair of bevel gears I31, I83, by a rotatable shaft I89 that is driven by the tractor motor, and which may be the same shaft that drives the pump 32 of the first described embodiment of-the invention.

The shaft IE3 is adapted to oscillate in a horizontal plane about the coupling I82 as a pivot, which oscillation will move its end. roller I84 alternatively into operative engagement with one or the other of discs I85. The confronting faces of the latter and the surface of roller I84 are of suitable composition so as to have good frictional engagement with each other, with the result that such engagement of roller and discs will drive the shaft I33, in one direction or the other, according to which disc is engaged by said roller. Oscillation of shaft I83 is effected in determinate relation to lateral tilting of the tractor, and to this end a pendulous weight Isl is suspended at the lower end of an arm I92 that is pivotally mounted at I93 upon any suitable part ofthe tractor structure, the axis of pivot I93 being parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tractor. The arm IE2 is formed intermediate its ends with an aperture I94 through which the shaft I83 extends. The arrangement is such that the arm I92 always is urged toward vertical position by the static weight I9I. Consequently, when the tractor tilts laterally, thus moving pivot point M3, the pivotal movement of the arm I92 suspended therefrom will move the shaft I83 and thus move the roller I84 on the end thereof into frictional driving engagement with cheer the other of the discs I35. Rotation of the shaft I83, operating through the gearing previously described, rotates the gear HE and stem III, and thereby moves the wheels of the tractor relatively'of each other to bring the latter to a transversely level position in the manner provided in the first described embodiment of the invention. It will be understood, of course, that the discs I85 are driven in the proper direction to achieve the foregoing result. The distance between the pivot point I93 and aperture I94 in arm I82 determines the amount of leverage that said arm applies to shaft I83 to hold roller I84 in driving engagement with the discs I85.

Referring now to Figs. 1'7 and 18 of the drawings, there is shown a tractor I98 that differs from-that previously described chiefly in the location of the driving wheels, designated. I99, which are located at the front end of the tractor instead of at the rear thereof. As in the previously described embodiment of the invention, the wheels I99 are mounted upon the free ends of respective wheel-arms 200 that are hyclrauli cally operated so as to automatically oscillate relatively of each other, as shown in Fig. 13,.to compensate for uneven terrain upon whichthe tractor is operating, the wheel arms extending forwardly from their hub portions, and substantially horizontally when the tractor is on level ground.

The modified tractor also differs from that previously described by being articulated, its rear end portion, which includes the drivers seat 29!, being capable of pivotal movement about a king pin located at 202. Said rear end portion of the tractor is provided with a single dirigible wheel 233 by means of which; thetractor is steered, said wheel 203 being manually controlled by a steering wheel 294. A wheel 295 similar to the latter is provided for moving the rear end of the tractor angularly of the front end thereof, as is desirable in some operations for which the tractor is employed.

Although oil is mentioned as the liquid employed in the hydraulic mechanism of the tractor, it will be understood that other liquid may be employed, an important consideration being that the liquid should be substantially of uniform viscosity at all temperatures wherein tractor operation is practicable.

Other modification may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention, or the scope thereof as defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A wheeled land vehicle comprising a chassis, wheels on opposite sides of the chassis supporting the same, and means controlled automatically by transverse tilting of the chassis out of horizontal position for concurrently raising one wheel and lowering the other wheel relatively of the chassis, said means comprising a spur pinion having a co-aXially attached gear meshing, on opposite sides of its periphery, with gearing associated with the wheels, to move said gearing in opposite directions when the spur pinion is rotated, a rack meshed with said pinion, opposed fluid pressure operated cylinders engaging opposite ends of said rack to reciprocate the same, and means for charging one of said cylinders while discharging the other in proportion to transverse tilting of the chassis.

2. A vehicle as in claim 1, said cylinder charging means comprising a valve, a lever to operate said valve, a container having a liquid supply and float means on the said lever responsive to level of the liquid supply to operate the valve.

3. A self-leveling vehicle comprising a chassis, a driving shaft extending transversely of the chassis, an arm extending radially from each end of the shaft, a ground-engaging wheel mounted for rotation on the outer end of each arm, a pair of sprocket chains for imparting rotation from the driving shaft to the wheels, respectively, a sleeve attached to each arm and surrounding the said shaft, a ring gear attached to the inner end of each sleeve, a bevel gear between said ring gears and engaging the teeth of each of said ring gears, hydraulically operated means attached to the vehicle and arranged to rotate the said bevel gear, a valve in the said means controlling direction of rotation of said bevel gear, a liquid container attached to the vehicle, and float means in said container connected to said valve and responsive to liquid level in said container to operate the valve.

4. A device as in claim 3, said hydraulically operated means comprising a pair of cylinders in fluid communication with ports of said valve, and pistons in said cylinders having driving connections with said bevel gear.

5. In a device as in claim 3, a reservoir for hydraulic fluid, and said hydraulically operated means comprising a pair of cylinders in fluid communication with ports of said valve and pistons in said cylinders having driving connections with said bevel gear, said liquid container sur rounding said valve whereby the latter receives its liquid supply from the valve, and an overflow pipe in said container in communication with said reservoir.

6. A self-leveling vehicle comprising a chassis,

a driving shaft extending transversely of the chassis, an arm extending radially from each end of the shaft, a ground-engaging wheel mounted for rotation on the outer end of each arm, means for imparting rotation from the driving shaft to each wheel, a sleeve attached to each arm and surrounding said shaft, a hydraulic pressure system in the vehicle including a two-way valve, 9. pair of cylinders in communication with respective outlet ports of said valve, a container on the vehicle, having liquid-level-operated means responsive to sidewise tilting of the vehicle to operate said alve, and pistons in said cylinders, and means connected to said pistons and the respective sleeves to impart relatively opposite rotations thereto.

7. A vehicle as in claim 6, said valve-operating means comprising a container holding a liquid supply, and float means responsive to level of the liquid supply and connected to the valve.

8. In a vehicle as in claim 6, a reservoir for hydraulic fluid, and said container surrounding the valve and in communication with the exhaust ports thereof and said container having an overflow device in communication with said reservoir, and an operating lever on the valve and having float means responsive to height of liquid in the said container to operate the valve.

LAWRENCE C. BURTON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,238,752 Flory Sept. 4, 1917 1,262,829 Neumeier Apr. 16, 1918 1,348,333 Swan Aug. 3, 1920 1,353,393 Haupt Sept. 21, 1920 1,385,417 Wooley July 26, 1921 1,451,194 Adams Apr. 10, 1923 1,821,271 Musgrove et a1 Sept. 1, 1931 1,877,520 MacGregor Sept. 13, 1932 1,955,198 Mellichampe Apr. 17, 1934 1,990,798 Richter et al Feb. 12, 1935 2,165,617 Paes et al July 11, 1939 2,215,571 White Sept. 24, 1940 2,278,081 Kramer Mar. 31, 1942 2,302,322 Howard Nov. 17, 1942 2,387,249 Eddington Oct. 23, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 346,890 Italy Mar. 11, 1937 

